Be Pro Be Proud
Be Pro Be Proud is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 2016 that operates a workforce development initiative connecting U.S. high school students with skilled-trade careers in Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utilities through Mobile Workshops, Draft Day events, and an 8-state digital talent network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLittle Rock, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Be Pro Be Proud does
Be Pro Be Proud, Inc. is an Arkansas-registered nonprofit corporation founded in March 2016 by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce. The organization operates a workforce development initiative designed to reshape perceptions of technical careers — in Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utilities — positioning them as options of first choice rather than fallback paths. It serves high school students as the primary audience, with secondary engagement of parents, educators, employers, and policymakers.
The organization's core product platform comprises three interlocking components: (1) a Mobile Workshop fleet (a second unit was added in September 2019) that physically travels to schools requiring a 120' by 50' parking footprint and delivers hands-on career exploration activities; (2) Draft Day events that strategically pair qualified students with employer partners for interviews and opportunities; and (3) a digital 'Join the Movement' talent network supported by 8 state-specific websites (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida). The organization has executed 3,213 tour stops across 1,524 cities and hosts an annual National Conference (2026 edition scheduled in Nashville, July 20-22).
The business model is sponsor- and donation-funded. Revenue streams consist of corporate partnership funding from skilled-trade employers and industry associations (e.g., Nissan, Meta, AT&T, Duke Energy, TVA, ExxonMobil, Freeport-McMoRan), alongside public donations accepted via the website. State-level operations are co-led by local chambers of commerce and foundations, including the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Associated Industries of South Carolina Foundation, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce Foundation, N.C. Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation, Cherokee Office of Economic Development (Georgia), and the Alabama State Department of Education. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. The organization is lean, with 1-10 employees, and is governed as a nonprofit with no parent company, VC investment, or public listing.
Be Pro Be Proud firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Be Pro Be Proud
- Legal name
- Be Pro Be Proud, Inc.
- Website
- https://beprobeproud.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Be Pro Be Proud is a 501(c)-style nonprofit founded in 2016 that operates a workforce development initiative connecting U.S. high school students with skilled-trade careers in Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utilities through Mobile Workshops, Draft Day events, and an 8-state digital talent network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Be Pro Be Proud industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Apprenticeship Training (611513)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits (BPAGADAF)
Keywords
Where Be Pro Be Proud is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Little Rock
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Be Pro Be Proud business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Partner/Sponsor Funding: The organization is funded by Partners which include technical programs and skilled trade employers. Partners provide funding to support the organization's Services. The organization discloses personal information to Partners with user consent as part of Services to connect students with training providers and employers.
- Donations: The organization accepts donations through its website to support the workforce development mission.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Be Pro Be Proud product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Be Pro Be Proud is a nonprofit workforce development organization that changes perceptions about technical careers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. It connects high school students with skilled trade career paths through Mobile Workshops, Draft Day recruitment events, and a multi-state talent network. The organization partners with employers, schools, and state chambers to build sustainable talent pipelines into high-demand trades.
Product overview
Be Pro Be Proud is a workforce development initiative designed to change perceptions about the pursuit of technical careers as options of first choice, not last resort. The organization operates a unified platform consisting of the Mobile Workshop (a traveling program that visits schools), Draft Day events (which pair students with employers), and the Join the Movement talent network. State-specific programs in 8 states (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida) deliver localized versions with tailored employer partnerships and training resources. The initiative champions careers in four industries: Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utility. The organization also hosts an annual National Conference and communicates with stakeholders through newsletters and SMS updates.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mobile Workshop
- Draft Day
- Join the Movement
- National Conference
Companies that use Be Pro Be Proud
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Be Pro Be Proud technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Be Pro Be Proud partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and supporting.
- Build SubmarinesmajorNational partner operating submarine construction workforce initiatives in South Carolina and North Carolina. Supporter since July 2024 in North Carolina.
- Tennessee Valley AuthoritymajorGovernment corporation and Tennessee partner since February 2024, supporting workforce development in the Tennessee Valley region.
- Public Service Company of New MexicomajorMajor utility company and New Mexico partner since December 2023, supporting workforce development in the energy sector.
- Associated Builders and Contractors of New MexicomajorConstruction industry association and New Mexico partner since December 2023, supporting workforce development in the building trades.
- ExxonMobilmajorMajor energy corporation and New Mexico partner since August 2023, supporting workforce development initiatives.
- NissancoreMajor automotive manufacturer with significant Tennessee presence including Smyrna Assembly Plant and Decherd Powertrain Assembly Plant. Partner provides funding and connects with student talent for workforce pipeline.
- MetacoreTechnology company operating as a National Partner supporting workforce development initiatives across multiple states including Tennessee, South Carolina, and New Mexico.
- Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & IndustrycoreState chamber of commerce that leads the Tennessee Be Pro Be Proud initiative. The initiative is described as being powered by the Tennessee Chamber.
- Associated Industries of South Carolina Foundation (AISCF)coreFoundation that leads the South Carolina Be Pro Be Proud SC initiative. An initiative of AISCF leading the movement to bring professionals to South Carolina's skilled workforce.
- New Mexico Chamber of Commerce FoundationcoreFoundation that co-leads the New Mexico Be Pro Be Proud initiative alongside the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.
- N.C. Home Builders Educational and Charitable FoundationcoreFoundation that leads the North Carolina Be Pro Be Proud initiative. The initiative is an educational and charitable effort to bring professionals to North Carolina's skilled workforce.
- Cherokee Office of Economic DevelopmentcoreEconomic development office that started the Georgia Be Pro Be Proud initiative. Led the original founding of the program in Georgia.
- Alabama State Department of EducationcoreState education department that powers the Alabama Be Pro Be Proud Alabama initiative. Be Pro Be Proud Alabama is powered by the Alabama State Department of Education.
- Arkansas State Chamber of CommercecoreOriginal founding organization that announced and launched the Be Pro Be Proud workforce initiative in March 2016. The initiative originated in Arkansas.
- AT&TmajorNational telecommunications company operating as a partner in Tennessee and South Carolina, supporting workforce development initiatives.
- Vulcan Materials CompanymajorMajor construction materials company operating as a partner in Tennessee and North Carolina, supporting workforce development in the aggregates and construction industry.
- Duke EnergymajorMajor energy company operating as a South Carolina partner, supporting workforce development initiatives in the energy sector.
- Freeport-McMoRan Inc.majorMajor mining corporation operating as a New Mexico partner, supporting workforce development in the mining and metals sector.
- TruistmajorMajor financial services company operating as a North Carolina partner, supporting workforce development initiatives.
- WeyerhaeusermajorMajor timber and forest products company operating as a partner in North Carolina and Georgia, supporting workforce development in forestry and manufacturing.
- HAASmajorManufacturing equipment company (CNC machines) operating as a partner in Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina, supporting workforce development in manufacturing technology.
- DaimlermajorMajor truck manufacturer operating as a North Carolina partner, supporting workforce development in commercial vehicle manufacturing.
- Cat FinancialsupportingEquipment financing company affiliated with Caterpillar, operating as a Tennessee partner supporting workforce development in equipment and construction industries.
- American Home ShieldsupportingHome warranty company operating as a South Carolina partner, supporting workforce development in the home services industry.
- AltecsupportingEquipment manufacturer operating as a partner in Tennessee and North Carolina, supporting workforce development in construction and utilities equipment.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Be Pro Be Proud competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- National Skills Coalition: National advocacy and policy organization focused on expanding skills-training and workforce development opportunities. Comparable workforce/skills-gap mission but operates as a policy/advocacy entity rather than direct program delivery.
Direct peers
- Per Scholas: Nonprofit providing tuition-free technical skills training and career placement for adults from underserved communities. Comparable technical-career focus, employer-funded model, and talent-network structure.
- Junior Achievement USA: Youth-focused nonprofit delivering workforce readiness, career exploration, and financial literacy programs in K-12 schools nationwide. Directly comparable mission of preparing students for careers, with similar school-based delivery model.
- NCCER: National Center for Construction Education and Research — nonprofit delivering craft training, curriculum, and credentialing for the construction industry. Comparable workforce-development focus on construction trades and employer-aligned training pathways.
- Year Up: Workforce development nonprofit connecting young adults with employer partners for training and career placement. Comparable target demographic (youth/young adults), employer-partnership revenue model, and outcome-driven mission.
- Generation You Employed: Global nonprofit providing skills training, mentoring, and job placement for youth facing barriers to employment. Comparable employer-funded model and outcome-driven mission targeting skilled career pathways.
- Build Your Future (BYF): Construction industry workforce development initiative focused on promoting skilled trades careers to young people. Directly comparable industry focus (construction/trades) and youth-targeted career awareness mission.
- SkillsUSA: National nonprofit serving middle-school, high-school, and college students preparing for skilled trades, technical, and skilled-service careers. Highly comparable mission, target audience, and employer-partnership model to Be Pro Be Proud.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Be Pro Be Proud social profiles
Digital presenceBe Pro Be Proud financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Be Pro Be Proud leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Be Pro Be Proud subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
Be Pro Be Proud funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Be Pro Be Proud M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Be Pro Be Proud
What does Be Pro Be Proud do?
Be Pro Be Proud is a nonprofit workforce development organization that changes perceptions about technical careers in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. It connects high school students with skilled trade career paths through Mobile Workshops, Draft Day recruitment events, and a multi-state talent network. The organization partners with employers, schools, and state chambers to build sustainable talent pipelines into high-demand trades.
Is Be Pro Be Proud a public or private company?
Be Pro Be Proud is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Be Pro Be Proud founded?
Be Pro Be Proud was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Be Pro Be Proud based?
Be Pro Be Proud is headquartered in Little Rock, United States, in the North America region.
How does Be Pro Be Proud make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Partner/Sponsor Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations.
Who are Be Pro Be Proud's main competitors?
National Skills Coalition is listed as a broad incumbent. Direct peers are Per Scholas, Junior Achievement USA, NCCER, Year Up, Generation You Employed, Build Your Future (BYF) and SkillsUSA.
Does Be Pro Be Proud have an API?
No public API is recorded for Be Pro Be Proud.
What industry is Be Pro Be Proud in?
Be Pro Be Proud's product category is Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAF, Workforce Readiness, Career Pathways & Youth Employment Nonprofits. Its NAICS code is 611513.